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“She’d love it,” he said “Beautiful, green city, lots of culture, friends, and things to do You could put her in a good private school, take her on trips, give her a chance to learn about the world beyond Blanco Springs” He shook his head “Sorry I know I’ you I know you need to focus on the trial Just promise me you’ll keep it in mind That’s all I ask”
Tori willed herself to breathe “I will Don’t expect much from me until the trial’s over But when it’s done, you’ll have my decision”
“I understand, and I won’t push you” He released her hand and glanced down at her tunaelse”
“Thanks, but I’ht now” She rose and reached for her coat “I hope you’ll give s calm down”
“Sure But you’ll think about what I said, won’t you?” He got up to walk her to her wagon
“Of course” How could she not think about it?
She was still thinking about it as she drove back to the ranch Drew’s proposal—or whatever it had been—had caught her like a flash flood in a narro, leaving her shaken and confused
She should have turned him down on the spot and saved both of them the pain of uncertainty So why hadn’t she? Maybe there was a reason Maybe leaving Blanco Springs and going to Seattle with Drew could turn out to be the best decision she’d ever made—for herself, as well as for Erin, who’d never experienced the world outside rural Texas Or it could turn out to be a disaster for all concerned Either way, she couldn’t ent choice until after the trial
As she pulled up to the house, she could see the work crew clearing away the ruins of the barn Will ith the over the others as he paused to shout directions or stooped to help drag a heavy timber free of the rubble He would work until he dropped fro him That was Will’s hen he orried, especially if he happened to be unhappy with her
Seeing her with Drew hadn’t sat ith hins He’d been too polite, too congenial, too cool And while he was talking to Drew, he’d scarcely given her a glance
She’d planned to stay in town overnight, for some needed quiet time But that had been before Drew called and before Will had shown up at the Burger Shack Now, although it shouldn’t be allowed to matter, she’d felt compelled to come back to the ranch She needed to let Will know she was here
Beau’s Jeep was gone, and Erin was nowhere in sight Inside the house Tori found a note on her daughter’s closed bedroom door
In case anybody wonders, I went to the hospital with Beau and Natalie Natalie had a doctor’s appoint along See you later
The house was quiet Bernice was probably napping, and Tori had seen Jasper on the Kubota yard tractor, hovering around the workers ere clearing the barn Even if he couldn’t work, the old coould want to be part of the action, and
Savoring the silence, Tori sank into the cushions of the orn leather sofa The stress of the past feeeks was getting to her She’d forgotten the last tiood just to sit here in the familiar stillness and close her eyes for a m